When I touched down in Osaka, I was so disoriented I wasn't sure what day it was (still not sure come to that, maybe Friday?) but there was still customs to clear. There were many small Japanese women issuing commands in what I am reasonably sure was Japanese and gesticulating in various directions. I filledContinue reading " Osaka"
Friday in Osaka
It's about 7 PM, and I've ventured out again, looking for ramen, and I've found some in another one of those covered shopping streets near my hotel; they seem to be everywhere. The food here is remarkably inexpensive. The bowl of ramen is 860 yen, which is about $5.60 US; I estimate it couldn't beContinue reading "Friday in Osaka"
More Osaka Highjinks
Today I ventured into the Osaka subway for the first time; up till now it was cabs or walking, but my dogs are barking. Osaka Castle is right in the center of town. The castle is impressive; you feel like you have gone back in time or maybe ended up in an epidode of Shogun.Continue reading "More Osaka Highjinks"
Adventures in Kyoto with Our Man in Japan
I'm off to Kyoto today. I'm having a problem with my phone and tablet, as neither of them will download apps; I go to the Play Store and hit the download button, and it just says "pending" forever. This makes it impossible to do things like make reservations from Osaka to Kyoto on the JRContinue reading "Adventures in Kyoto with Our Man in Japan"
Yet More Kyoto
Yesterday I did some some exploring in Kyoto. There is another one of those covered markets near my hotel that sells local delicacies. I think Kay would have particularly enjoyed one of their specialities, a bright red whole baby octopus on a stick with a quail egg stuffed in the head for added flavor andContinue reading "Yet More Kyoto"
Last Day in Kyoto
Today I got up reasonably early and took a cab back down to the Gion District, not too far from where I was yesterday in the Geisha quarter. There is a huge Buddhist temple where you can purchase small strips of paper in tiny envelopes. You can pick the general kind of fortune you want:Continue reading "Last Day in Kyoto"
Leaving Kyoto, Kanazawa Here I Come
I checked out of my hotel in Kyoto and took the train to Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan. One of the little storefronts by the hotel had a pitcher plant in the window, something I'd never seen before. I grabbed a cab to Kyoto station. You can buy your tickets from a machine, butContinue reading "Leaving Kyoto, Kanazawa Here I Come"
Leaving Kanazawa, Headed for Tokyo
This is my last morning in Kanazawa. I packed a lot into yesterday and forgot that I was planning to take it easy. I started out with the breakfast buffet at the hotel, which has an interesting mix of Japanese and Western selections. One offering was a make-your-own sushi hand roll. You get a sheetContinue reading "Leaving Kanazawa, Headed for Tokyo"
Into Shibuya
Today I decided to get out of Shinjuku and see more of the city. It's a little more daunting than you might think. I really have some trepidation about using the Tokyo subway, and you would too if you saw the subway map. I wanted to see one of the animal cafes, but which kind?Continue reading "Into Shibuya"
Mind Blown in Shinjuku
Got up and packed in preparation for heading out to Tokyo on the Shinkansen. I picked up a bento box and a Suntory for the trip; this one was about 3 hours with a couple of stops. It arrived right on time, as they always do, and I settled in for the ride. Because IContinue reading "Mind Blown in Shinjuku"
Samurai Shrink 